Gael Monfils: Fatherhood changed everything for me

When the name Gael Monfils appears on a tournament entry list, fans know they’re guaranteed a good time. A flamboyant playing style and joyful enthusiasm on and off the court has made the 38-year-old Frenchman a fan favourite over the course of his 20-year career on the ATP Tour. This weekend, he’s one of the star attractions at the latest edition of the Ultimate Tennis Showdown - Patrick Moratoglou’s revolutionary tennis league featuring 40-minute matches, live coaching and mid-match interviews.

Monfils is making his sixth UTS appearance in Frankfurt, Germany, and he feels the competition suits his personality: “I love the way they pull off this show, actually, because it's always a balance between the show, competition and experience, I think it's experimental for tennis. So I think the mix of all of three aspects, I think for me it's great,” he told Tennis Channel DE.

It's a chance for more creativity and to let yourself go. But for me, whether it’s UTS or ATP Tour, I always have that. That's the way I've been playing tennis all my life, so this is very natural.

Last man standing

UTS Frankfurt, which is being shown live on Tennis Channel DE from October 18-20, features a host of big names alongside Monfils, including Ben Shelton, Jan-Lennard Struff and Denis Shapovalov. It also marks the final professional appearance in Germany of 2020 US Open champion Dominic Thiem, who will retire from the Tour after next week’s ATP 500 in Vienna.

“I think everyone tell will you Domi is super nice. He always has a big smile, a very shy guy sometimes, but when you know him better, he's a very funny character,” Monfils said with a smile.

“As a player, he's a monster, he could play everywhere. People at the beginning wanted him to play only on clay. And of course on clay he was amazing. But on hard court he won in Indian Wells, played the Australian Open final. And he is a Grand Slam champion at the US Open, so his career is unbelievable,” he added.

We're going to miss him, and I always say it’s a little bit too soon because he's still quite young. We're going to miss him a lot because he brings a different energy.

Thiem’s retirement comes hot on the heels of Rafael Nadal’s decision to make November’s Davis Cup his final tournament. Roger Federer and Andy Murray, who Monfils grew up on the Tour alongside, have also hung up their rackets in the past two years. So, how does the Frenchman feel about being one of his generation’s “last men standing”?

Lucky. I feel just lucky, to be honest, because I don't really know exactly all of them why they wanted to stop, but some of them, it was because of some injuries.

“That's why I felt a little bit blessed that so far I can still play a little bit more because Rafa, I think was struggling a little bit, Roger, obviously, and of course, Andy, the same. So, so far I feel lucky.”

A father’s duty

The word lucky could also be used to describe Monfils’ off court life. Married since 2021 to fellow professional Elina Svitolina, the two have just celebrated the second birthday of their daughter Skai. When the Frenchman talks about Skai, his face lights up.

It’s the best thing in the world. I always say this is the reward in a way. And we're just privileged to play our sport. You know, being with the family, it just brings us back to reality. The best duty that I have is to be a good dad to my daughter, try to help her to discover life and raise her the best I can. And so this is just a big blessing.

Fellow UTS competitor Lorenzo Musetti has spoken of how scary becoming a father can be. Does Monfils feel the same?

“I won't say it was easy as well because no one is really prepared before to have your own. So I will say I was curious. Let's say I'm not terrified, but curious to see how it would be. And to be honest, kids are changing every day, I'm always curious to see what's the next chapter with her.”

He also admits Skai has completely changed the way he views tennis.

She's my priority number one. So it changed everything, changed your view, but also yourself, because being a sports athlete, you need to be super selfish and, and now you can’t be anymore. She's the absolutely priority.

“When I go back home or I call my daughter, she doesn’t even really know if I win, if I lose, it’s all the same for her. And that brings you straight away back to the reality, which is important.”

The next chapter

After UTS, Monfils plans to play “one or two exhibitions” before spending the off-season with his family.

With 20 years on the Tour under his belt, he admits next season will be a pivotal one for him. But for now, he’s not thinking about retirement just yet.

“It's really hard because I think it will be one of the most important season of my life in a way. During or after this one, of course, I will have to make some decisions, some adjustments.

“So right now, I don't really think about it, to be honest, because I know it's going to be tough. But I'm ready. As I say, I'm ready to play it. And I will see what life gives me.”